Incumbents Manar, Scherer lead challengers in fundraising

The power of incumbency is rearing its head in local races for the Illinois General Assembly.

All three incumbent lawmakers facing November challengers hold substantial leads over their opponents in the money sweepstakes leading up to the fall campaign.

Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, had more than 60 times the cash on hand at the end of June as his opponent, Republican Linda Little of Decatur, based on just-filed campaign disclosure reports.

The closest contest in terms of money was between Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, and Republican Mike Bell of Edinburg. Even in that race, Scherer had more than three times the cash on hand as Bell at the end of June.

The latest reports filed with the State Board of Elections cover the period between April 1 and June 30.

Manar, a former chief of staff to Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, was by far the most prolific fundraiser among Springfield-area candidates. Manar reported raising nearly $205,000 during the three-month period while spending more than $31,000. Combined with money already in his campaign account, Manar had more than $578,000 available at the end of June.

Little, meanwhile, raised a little more than $9,000 during the period and spent about $4,100. Along with money already raised, Little had just less than $9,000 in her fund on June 30. Littleís biggest contributor was Lake Forest businessman Richard Uihlein, who is a frequent contributor to Republican candidates. Little also reported receiving campaign staff assistance from the Republican State Senate Campaign Committee.

Manar collected at least $93,000 in the last quarter from organized labor. The Illinois Education Association and the Laborersí union each contributed $16,000, while the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois and the Associated Firefighters each contributed $10,000.

Scherer, finishing her first term in the House, reported raising more than $21,000 in the last three months and spending nearly as much. She ended June with $67,000 in her campaign account.

Although she raised less than other Springfield-area incumbents, Scherer is in better shape than she was at this point two years ago, when she had only about $30,000 in her account. After June 30, 2012, though, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, began pouring money into Schererís campaign.

Most of Schererís money in the last three months has come from labor, which contributed at least $16,700. The largest contributions were $10,500 from the Laborersí union and $3,000 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Scherer also reported a $750 in-kind contribution from the Madigan-run Democratic Majority fund for use of voter identification systems.

Bell ended June with just less than $18,000 in his fund after raising more than $22,000 and spending a little more than $5,000. Bell loaned his campaign nearly $3,500 during the quarter.

The areaís only other contested race is between Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, and Democrat Josh Evans of Jerseyville.

Davidsmeyer ended June with $123,000 in his campaign fund after raising nearly $69,000 and spending about $27,000. His largest contributions were $10,000 from the Morgan County Republican Central Committee and $5,000 from Foresight Energy of St. Louis.

Evans raised $6,600 during the quarter but spent $6,800. He ended June with a little more than $13,000 in his fund. His largest contribution was $2,500 from Kim Mayberry of Jerseyville.

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